Asphodels (Valdangelo)

Twice-met (part 1)

Time skipping because all that happens is book stuff, only Hazel and Leo sometimes disappear together because of the curse, and Leo is a lot quieter than in cannon; also a lot more focused on getting to Rome.

There's no in-plot reason for the shadows growing semi-sapient planned, I just like the thought of them being friendly; nothing to it.

Leo's an ever burning flame, constantly running at a temperature than on anyone else would be feverish, it stems from the fire coursing through his veins. Nico is his opposite, so cold even Leo can feel it, but not the way Khione had been cold, or anything natural could be cold; powerful, and seemingly set on cooling Leo down as opposed to absorbing his heat.

He learns this as they move Nico to the infirmary room on the Argo II, and he helps Hazel and Coach Hedge keeping him in bed for the first few days. Nico suffers from some nasty nightmares, and sometimes the shadows around him go wild and seem to try and consume him; Hazel can't control the shadows due to the difference between Pluto and Hades, so Leo tries to scare them off with a little fire.

It works in the sense that the shadows stop wriggling so wildly, instead curling almost protectively around the bedframe and legs, and tentatively around Leo whenever he got close enough, acting a little like a chastised creature; which was a weird thing to think. Still, Leo takes what he can get, and is glad to find the shadows keep calm even when he's not there, though he's the only one they reach out for.

If he were to actually keep the flowers, as opposed to throwing them away when there was no one to see, Leo was pretty sure he could've made perfume by now; a very bloody perfume, but still. He tries to keep himself distracted from it, but since he's taking turns watching Nico with Hazel and Coach, that's become a lot harder.

There's also the fact that by now Leo's figured that he's been experiencing glimpses of Nico's time in the jar. Which points to this whole curse thing being something bigger than just him losing a little blood here and there; not that Leo's anywhere near surprised, considering nothing in his life had ever been easy.

So he worries, coughs more asphodels into brief, bloody, existence, and worries some more.

He wakes up in what looks like an infirmary, only the ground is swaying ever so slightly; there's a satyr he vaguely recognizes dozing on a chair, and whispers nearby. The shadows around him curl up towards him almost curiously, which is new, but they seem friendly enough; which is not something Nico thought he'd ever think about shadows.

The shadows seem intent on taking him somewhere, by pulling at him until he's at the door of the swaying infirmary, and the whispers he'd been hearing become clear enough to understand.

"You think he'll be mad we kept him unconscious this long?"

Nico recognizes Hazel's voice in a similar way to how someone might finally manage breaking the surface for air; the relief is such that he almost misses the response.

"I don't think your brother could ever be mad at you"

It's a familiar voice and not in tandem, probably a demigod considering the clearly familiar tone they use.

"Me on the other hand?"

A boy's voice, Nico decides, a son of prophecy no doubt, either the mars son or the Hephaestus kid, though Nico's leaning towards the second.

"But if you were to explain it to him, maybe then I'd be spared"

There's a teasing tone there, a sort of comradery; clearly the two are close friends.

"That's ridiculous"

There's a moment of quiet where Nico thinks maybe he's been found out, but then Hazel huffs.

"Ok, ok, you've made your point"

The shadows tug at him again, this time urging him back to the bed, and follow he does.

Nico is sitting in his bed when they go back inside the infirmary, rubbing the sides of his head in either pain of dizziness; Leo can't be sure from this far. He trails a little behind Hazel keeping a noticeable distance between himself and the other boy in the room, taking him in.

He's paler than Leo remembers, a little leaner, the expression softer too; but the last one probably is directed at Hazel; he holds no hope of Nico remembering him. At least the hair is the same, still curling wildly like baby bat wings; and the eyes, still heavy with a sadness older than the body that held it.

Leo remembers wondering what exactly had happened that Nico could appear so old when he was so young, maybe one day he'll ask; it's not like he'll survive very long anyway.